Internet activists and experts hailed recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on net neutrality as among the best in the world but said a lot would depend on how they were translated into law.
Nikhil Pahwa, founder & editor of mobile and digital news portal MediaNama, said the suggestions made by Trai weighted in favour of consumers as they ensure services providers did not discriminate between users.
"They are great for Net users because it means that telecom players cannot slow down or speed up any particular website for them (consumers) so they cannot discriminate," he told DNA Money.
According to him, the principles applied by Trai were ones of the best in the world; "Trai's recommendations are one of the better rulings. It is better than Europe, the way we see it, and definitely better than the mess that is happening in the US. This is a relief from that".
Subho Ray, president of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), said it would have to be seen how lawmakers ...

Issuing its recommendations on Net neutrality, Trai has also suggested a multi-stakeholder body comprising telecom and Internet service providers, content providers, civil society organisation and consumer representatives for monitoring and investigation of violations.

Five years ago, a firm started an optic fibre broadband service in a gated community of Delhi. It offered a 20 Mbps plan to 80 subscribers. Gradually, the company failed to maintain the advertised speed as its subscription base grew more than a hundred per cent. A technical executive of the firm said, "We have nearly 200 connections on the same infrastructure. Most consumers do not know what speed they have purchased."
Debt-ridden telcos are blowing billions on marketing and tariff plans in a rush to protect subscription base in a highly competitive market, but improving Internet experience for end users through investment in infrastructure is not their priority. Domestic rating agency ICRA has said falling investment in capital expenditure has hurt service quality.
Former VSNL CMD BK Syngal said, "Yes, it's poor infrastructure. No systematic study of traffic management has been carried out to see where clogging is and where investment is required. In such a situation, you will continue to suffer poor ...

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for deputation of Group ‘A’ officers of Department .of Telecommunications (DoT) and other Ministries, with Telecommunication and Information Technology background

Vodafone India today reported a steep 39.2% plunge in pre-tax profit at Rs 4,075 crore for the six months to September, joining its peers who have cumulatively lost Rs 4,087 crore in the second quarter alone, exposing the deep scars in the once-sunshine segment.
The second largest telco squarely blamed the poor set of numbers -- it also reported a 15.8% fall in revenue at Rs 19,002 crore -- to the "continuing price war driven by Jio and other incumbents, seasonality, higher GST rate and the continuous capital investments". The deep-pocketed Jio has been offering data almost free for a year now, while it charges nothing for voice, forcing the incumbents to make matching offers.
The next quarter will be worse for the old players as in a blow to them, regulator Trai had from October 1 steeply reduced the ICU charges from 14 to just 6 paise. The impact of this decision will come into the books from the third quarter. And the deep scars that the Jio-led competition has left in its wake was clear when ...

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recommended simplification of the process of linking Aadhaar with registered mobile numbers. The proposal will make the service available at the doorsteps of subscribers.
The new measures include reverification via three ways — one time password (OTP) , app-based linking, and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) facility. These new methods will help subscribers get their mobile number linked to Aadhaar without visiting the stores of telecom service providers, Minister for Communications Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.
According to new guidelines, telecom operators will provide an online mechanism for people to request such services and schedule a visit to complete the process based on availability. DoT has also recommended for reverification at their own houses for senior citizens and people with disability and chronic illness.
Subscribers can verify or reverify their mobile numbers from anywhere in the country irrespective of which service area their ...

After putting a brake on its direct-to-home (DTH) business, Reliance Communications plans to shut down its 2G mobile business by the end of November this year, while continuing to operate its 4G services through existing tie-ups with Reliance Jio.
Anil Ambani-owned RCom, reeling under high debt of Rs 45,000 crore, has been struggling to keep its business afloat. A merger with Aircel was called off due to regulatory issues, though the merger of Sistema Shyam's wireless business got an approval from the Department of Telecommunications on Monday.
In communications sent to all of its channel partners, RCom said it will shut down its GSM business by November 30. All pending claims of distributors will be settled down and all customers will get a porting code.
The company will shut down its DTH business -- Reliance Big TV -- once its licence expires on November 21 and shift users to a different platform.
RCom executive director Gurdeep Singh is learnt to have informed employees that the company has reached a ...

In a bid to expedite compliance of telecom service providers with the Hon. Supreme Court's order dated 6th February regarding linking of Aadhaar card with mobile number and reverification process of mobile users, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a comprehensive instruction on Wednesday.

The Special CBI Court on Wednesday said that the date for the judgment in the 2G case will be announced on November 7.
The court also issued production warrants to two accused Karim Morani and Sanjay Chandra for November 7 and asked all accused to be present on the date.
The scam related to 2G spectrum allocation by then Telecom Minister A Raja in the UPA government. The CBI said Raja was biased in allocating 2G airwaves to certain operators causing huge loss to the exchequer.
Here's the timeline of the case that will show you how the scam unfolded a decade ago:
May 2007: A Raja takes over as Telecom Minister.
Aug 2007: Process of allotment of 2G Spectrum along with UAS Licences initiated by Department of Telecom (DoT).
Sept 25, 2007: Telecom Ministry issues press note fixing deadline for application as October 1, 2007.
Oct 1, 2007: DoT receives 575 applications by 46 firms.
Nov 2, 2007: PM writes to Raja to ensure fair licence allocation and proper revision of fee. Raja writes to PM allegedly ...

Bharti Airtel and Tata on Thursday announced that they have entered into an understanding to merge Consumer Mobile Businesses (CMB) of Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Limited (TTML) into Bharti Airtel.